Mail-box



(No Model.)

W. 1:". GRAY.

MAIL BOX.

r h 7 n 70 up 0 B 70 o 3 w 1 w A \H Patented Dec. 22, 1891..

ms mums PETERS 60., momma, wuummou. o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\YILLIAIII GRAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MAIL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 465,697, dated December 22, 1891.

Application filed February 5, 1891. Serial No. 380,287. (No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, YVILLIAM F. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Boxes; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the'invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make'and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in mail-boxes; and it consists in thenovel method of attaching to such boxes the time-card frames ordinarily in use, as fully hereinafter described. a

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a mailbox. Fig. 2 shows an elevation of a portion of .the inside wall of such a box, showing the manner of attaching the card-frame. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3 3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is aperspective of a key for securin g thecard-frame to the box.

The ordinary method of attaching cardframes to mail-boxes is by the use of bolts projecting through the card-frame and the wall of the box and having nuts screwed upon their inner ends. This form of construction necessitates the use of a wrench, and as the cards are not often changed the nuts are frequently found to be rusted upon the bolts, so that the parts are mutilated and sometimes destroyed in the eifort to remove them, and considerable time is always consumed in the operation. A further objection to this form of construction is that there is apt to be sufficient space between the nut and the wall of.

' the box to afford lodgment for the edge of an "time-card frame having laterally-projecting lugs 11 b, which carry backwardly-projecting ices are left for retaining letters.

studs 1) b. These studs pass through the apertures a a in the side of the box A,'and their upper sides are notched or recessed, as shown. A bifurcated key D, tapering from its solid to its split end, or preferably being in half-wedge form, is set upon the stud b, engaging in its recess and drawing the plate firmly against the face of the box. The timecard C is placed under the frame B and held securely in place. The keys D maybe made with a very gradual taper, so that they may be easily dislodged for the purpose ofremoving the frame B. Should there be any corrosion of the parts, the key can be easily removed by striking the lock of the box or other hard instrument against its lower end. The

form of key is such that it necessarily fits closely against the inner surface of the box,

and no space is left between the key and the side of the recess of the stud, so that no crev- Space for the card may be secured either by swelling the wall of the box inwardly, as shown at a, or by recessing the frame B to receive the card. It is important that the outer edges of the frame B be brought into close contact with the surface of the box to prevent moisture from finding its way to the card.

It is obvious that the form of attaching frames to surfaces which I have herein described may be applied to many other purposes than that specifically herein set forth as, for instance, the securing of frames for retaining mica plates in stove doors, and for the attachment of plates of any kind to the outer surface of stoves, doors, dsc.

Having described my invention, what I claim is v 1. In combination with a mailbox, a card frame, studs projecting backwardly from saidframe and having their upper surfaces notched, apertures in the wall of the box to receive said studs, and bifurcated half-wedgeshaped keys for fitting into said notches, substantially as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a re taining-frame having backwardly-projecting and upwardly-recessed studs, in combination with bifurcated half-wedge-formed keys adapted to engage in the recesses, substanvwardly-projecting studs having recesses or tially as described, and for the purposes set the recesses in the studs, substantially as deforth. scribed, and for the purposes set forth.- 1o 3. In combination with a plate or frame In testimony whereof I affix my signature in adapted to fit upon the surface of a wall, backpresence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. GRAY.

Witnesses: B

SPENCER WARD,

JOHN G. WEBER.

notches upon their upper sides, and bifurcated keys tapering from their bows toward the ends or tips of their legs and adapted to fit within 

